Hopkinton committee names three finalists for superintendent search, sets site visits and interviews

The Hopkinton Public Schools screening committee narrowed a field of candidates to three finalists and the school committee set a sequence of site visits, reference checks and final interviews ahead of deliberations.

The finalists forwarded by the screening committee are Evan Bishop (current principal of Hopkinton High School), Mark McLaughlin (superintendent in South Hadley, Massachusetts) and Ross Mulkerin (director of finance and operations for the Neshogar Regional School District). The committee discussed logistics for visiting the finalists’ districts, how to collect references and how the committee will conduct 90-minute interviews and a public deliberation after all interviews are complete.

The finalists emerged after screening work described during the March 19, 2025, school committee meeting. Committee members said the screening group interviewed 11 candidates over four evenings and received a large number of application packets. The screening committee provided public links to candidate resumes for the Hopkinton Public Schools website; confidential application folders and fuller reference lists will be provided to committee members.

Search consultant guidance and next steps

Carolyn (search consultant) advised the school committee on standard search practice: treat the three finalists equitably, conduct a day-in-district visit for each candidate and collect a starter list of references each finalist supplied (approximately 12–15 names covering administrators, school committee members, municipal leaders, teachers and parents). The consultant recommended dividing reference calls among committee members so one person does not call the same reference multiple times and suggested asking references for concrete examples rather than general praise.

Committee members agreed they want the public to be able to view interview recordings but not to livestream interviews in real time; committee members said the vendor will hold the recordings until all three finalists have interviewed, then post them for viewing and public comment. Committee members and staff discussed providing an online feedback link for community impressions; the vendor will stop collecting feedback at a date the committee sets before deliberations.

Scheduling, formats and roles

Committee members discussed conducting site visits and day-in-district activities next week, with two finalists interviewed on the same evening and the remaining finalist interviewed on a second evening. The committee recommended 90-minute interviews with time for committee-member questions and a short closing from the candidate. Sample question categories identified from the packet include instructional leadership, community engagement, operations and fiscal management, special education, curriculum and staff development; committee members will each draft two questions tied to those categories and submit them to staff (Sheena) to screen for duplication (not to vet answers).

Deliberation and etiquette

The consultant advised that deliberations will be public and should focus on matching candidates to the district’s candidate profile (the successful candidate profile developed from community input). Committee members were urged not to denigrate candidates in public and to frame deliberations around strengths and fit. If a majority decides to pursue a candidate, the committee will make a motion to enter negotiations; the committee discussed calling finalists after a decision is made and then offering a motion of unanimous support for the incoming superintendent once terms are finalized.

Actions taken and administrative items

The screening committee formally forwarded three finalists (Evan Bishop; Mark McLaughlin; Ross Mulkerin) for the committee’s consideration. The school committee set a schedule framework for site visits, reference checks and evening interviews (specific dates and times to be confirmed by staff), and the committee agreed interview recordings will be posted only after all finalists have completed interviews. At the end of the meeting the committee moved to adjourn; the motion (moved by Jamie, seconded by Kyla) passed on a roll call (Jamie: yes; Kyla: yes; Chris: yes; Susan: yes; chair: yes).

What’s next

Staff will post the public candidate resume links on the district superintendent search page (the chair said the resumes will be available on the website the day after the meeting). Committee members were asked to send their two draft interview questions and availability to Sheena before the start of the next week so staff can finalize site-visit teams, daily agendas for in-district visits and the evening interview schedule. The committee also asked the search vendor to collect community feedback via the website and to deliver that input to the committee before deliberations.

Ending

The committee thanked the screening committee and applicants and adjourned the meeting. Specific interview and deliberation dates were left to staff to confirm by email to committee members.